Valve structure



Patented July 14, 1 953 UN TE {STATES OF I i 2,l645,45 1 t 7 vALvE s'mucrueum i 1. John s men,'Giadtigbangf 7 f u flppl icati on August 11, 194 lzSerialN0l 1 ,68, 18"

-.;Thisi invention-relates. to valves adapted for the to atom of fluids, particularly hydraulic i semployed in such structures as hydraulic hr-akesystems and it is especially adapted to in et-Wa a ve v f a i v -Inhone type of brake system, a power chamber; is. employed 1 which is connected through a'suitable operating passage :toindividual braking mechanismsQa nd a pedal-controlled piston ils'fus'edlfin the power chamber to create required pressures. 'lokeep the brakes continuously .appliedv lwhile the vehicle upon which they are carriedfis parked, some provision is made for locking'or latching thel system after application of 'thebrakes. 1 Iniadclition, an accumulator chainberi's used in such systems, this accumulator chamberlalso applying pressure as through the medium of a spring-loaded piston. To control the different pressures. exerted from the power chamber, the brake mechanism, and the accumulator chamber under various operating conditions, a special valve is required. Such a valve is thesubject of thisinvention.

Aniimportant object of this invention is to provide a valve mechanism capable of properly controlling the various hydraulic pressures exerted through corresponding ports from the parts of the braking system above mentioned. 7

Another object is to provide valve means which may be employed for normally isolating the accumulator chamber of such a braking system from both thepower chamber and the operating passage leading to the brake mechanism, and

also for automatically placing the accumulator 4 Claims; (01. e s 113 and the accumulator; to provide a valve such that differential pressure areas thereof cause 7 the valve to seek its normal or above mentioned first or non-parking position for isolating the accumulator chamber; to provide a valve which over the fluid pressure in the power chamber;

toaprovide a valve which will operate automaticallyto movefrom its second or parking position to its first or non-parking position in response-to preponderance of pressure in the power chamber over pressure in the operating passage, whereby the operator may release the brakeatltheendof a parking period by merely pressing on the brake pedal of the braking sysltem 3. momentarily create high pressure in the newer chamber; to provide a simple and efficient valvel suitable for manual closing by remote control; to provide a valve which, in closed position, that is, the parking position, is responsive to] either fluid,,.pressure in the power chamber or to fluid pressure, in the brake system proper, sol thatwhether or not the valve remains closed depends upon the-pressure-in the power chamber relative to pressure in the brake system, which relative pressure is in turn controlled by thetbrake pedal ofthe braking system; to providea valve that either remains closed or fully opens with a snap action; and to provide. a fluidpressureresponsive valve having pressure-diffe ntial sur f aces tofkeep the valve from maingfan intermediate position, the difieren p e'ssure eiier ted by the surrounding fluid ediatejposition so that the valve mechanism normally remain .in its: first or non-parking on. I

ther object of the invention is to provide cient 'yalve, construction, particularly in Tvvay valye construction, which is adapted H, e jnsertjed into a suitable cylinder or bore and to be pro perly sealed within such cylinder or bo'r'e f orladequateretention of the pressures re d "to be controlled;

i Stil another object is to provide a valve asotf the indicated nature which requires at most only the following parts, all of which ar adapted tobe introduced into a cylindrical efinaval've body; a barrel having at one end alve'lseatga poppet valve element having a stem extending throughthe barrel and having ahead toenga'gethe valve seat, a ring member to guide-and pack the stem at one end of the barrel, a separate valve-seat member at the other ehdflof the barrel and packing means for the barrel, the s'epa'rate'seat member and the ring ti "i l e Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent .to those skilled in this art accompanying drawing;

my rior applications Serial Nos. 452,335, now

gto snappth'e valve open from any inter s application is a continuation-impart of 3 Patent No. 2,467,887, 452,336, new Patent No. 2,427,669, and 485,464, now abandoned, filed respectively on July 25, 1942, July 25, 1942, and May 3, 1943.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a preferred embodiment of the valve of this invention, it being shown in operative position within a valve body by which it is carried; a

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the principal members of the valve construction of Fig. l, a portion being broken away to show the relationship of some of the parts;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational detail showing a slightly modifiedconstruction of the head of the poppet valve member of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section showing a somewhat modified form of valve assembly;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section showing a further modified form of valve assembly; and

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the valve assembly of Figs. 1 and 2 as taken from the line 66 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the valve construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, this preferred form comprises: a movablepoppet valve member ID having a valve stem I2 and a valve head I4; a continuous circular barrel I5 in which the valve member II] is mounted; a packing body I6 which receives and packs one end of the valve stem I2; and a separate seat member I8 employed in conjunction with some uses of the valve structure for cooperation with the valve head I4 as seen in Fig. 1. The valve head I4 is conveniently provided with two frusto-conical faces I 4a between which, at the region of their greatest diameter, is provided an annular groove which receives a sealing ring 22 of rubber or similar material having an appropriate cross section, such as the square configuration shown, to engage a beveled valve seat 24 in the adjacent end of the barrel I5 and also to engage a similar valve seat 25 in the opposing portion of the separate seat member I8 when employed. In general, the seats 24' and 25 conform with the frusto-conical configuration of the faces Ma. of the valve head I4. Thus, the valve stem I2 works in a chamber 26 within the barrel I5 and the valve head I4 works in a chamber 21 between the valve seats 24 and 25, the valve head I4 and its sealing ring 22 controlling the'passage of fluid between the chamber 21 and radially, disposed ports 28 provided in the barrel I5 and in communication with thechamber 26. The ports 28 lead to an annular groove 30 formed in the outer wall of the barrel I5. The side of the groove 3!] remote from the valve seat 24 is defined by a circular end wall 3I of the barrel I5, the central portion of the end wall 3| bounding the corresponding end of the chamber 26 and being provided with a central passage which receives and guides the valve stem I2. At the opposite side of the groove 38 and spaced somewhat therefrom as shown, another annular groove 32 is provided (see Fig. 2), this groove receiving an annular rubber packing ring 33 which is conveniently circular in cross section and sufficiently deformable to possess proper packing qualities when the assembly is disposed in the bore of an appropriate valve body. Such packing rings are of the type commonly referred. to as O-rings or donut packing rings.

Disposed against the end wall 3| is the packing body l6, it being also circular in shape to conform with any bore into which the barrel I5 is placed. This packing body is provided with a central passage for the reception of the valve stem I2, such passage being aligned with the corresponding passage in the end wall 3|. In order to provide for the packing of the packing body I6 within any bore in which it is disposed, an annular'shoulder 34 is formed in the side of the body I6 adjacent the end wall 3I whereby to receive an annular packing ring 35 like the packing ring 33. Also, the central portion of the body I6 is provided with a counter-bored groove 36, thereby forming an annular rib 31 which supports the packing ring 35on its outer wall and receives against its inner 7 the corresponding opening in the center of the packing body I6.

In' assemblies where the separate seat member I8 is required, this member is similarly packed within any bore which receives the assembly, this being accomplished by means of an annular packing ring 40 which may be constructed like the rings 33 and 35 and is disposed in a groove 42 in the outer wall of the seat member I8. As shown,

, the seat member I8 is provided with an integral,

annular skirt 44 which, when the parts are assembled, abuts against the adjacent end of the barrel I5 at the periphery of the valve seat 24. This skirt 44 is provided with ports 45 for communication between the chamber 21 about the valve head I4 and an annular groove in the outer wall of the seat member I 8. The seat member I 8 also is provided with a central passage 48 disposed axially with respect to the valve member III and its stem I2. 7

The valve assembly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and above described, is so constructed as to be inserted in operative relationship into acylindrical bore Within an appropriate valve body 50 having pressure fluid passages through which the flow of fluid under pressure is to be controlled.

In the particular embodiment shown, the valve body 50 has a passage 52 communicating with the annular groove 30 in the barrel I5 and leading toany appropriate source of fiuid under pressure, such as a chamber 53 which may be an accumulator chamber. of a hydraulic system. The valve body 50.is also shown as having a pressure fluid passage 54 leading to the annular groove 46 in the seat member I8 whereby to provide for fluid I passage through the ports 45 into the chamber 21 about the valve head I4. In a situation where V the seat member I8 is required for cooperation with the sealing ring 22 of the valve head I4, a passage 55 is employed in the valve body 50 to provide for communication between the aforesaid chamber. 21 and any fluid supply means which may be a power chamber 56 of the mentioned hydraulic braking system. In such an instance, the passage 54 could be an operating passage leading to the brake mechanism. With such an arrangement it might sometimes be desirable to employ a spring 51 bearing at one end against an adjacent wall portion of the valve body 50 around the fluid passage 55 and atthe other end against the outermost portion of the adjacent frusto-conical valve face I4a. In this instance an extension I2a on the valve Ill and aligned with the valve stem I2 may be employed for the purpose of centering such other end of the spring 51. Such a spring 51, when employed, would serve to provide a positive snap return action of the in Fig. l.

Retention of the valve assembly in the valve body 50 may be insured by a retainer plate 58 secured in any appropriate manner to the valve body 50 and against the outer face of the packing body [6, whereby to retain the assembled valve parts in the contiguous relationships illustrated in Fig, .1. It will be appreciated that the valve body 56 having the cylinder in which the valve assembly is placed may be an integral portion of i a casting also containing the mentioned pressure fluid chambers 53 and 56.

Under conditionslike that illustrated in Fig. 1

the valve H3 is adapted to be moved from its normal, open position shown, to an opposite, closed position by any means manuall or otherwise operated as required and represented by a bent lever 60 having an actuating nose SZ'bBaring upon the exposed outer extremity of the valve stem l2 which projects through the retainer plate 58 to the atmosphere. The bent lever 50 is conveniently mountedv as by a fulcrum pin 63 carried in ears 64 provided upon. the retainer plate 58.

..,A slight modification of the valve head 14 is shown in Fig. 3, this modification amounting to elimination of the frusto-conical valve face 14a, adjacent the extension l2a. This form may be employed either in the assembly shown in Fig. 1 or in any arrangement which omits the seat member I8 or its equivalent.

.With respect to the form of valve structure illustrated in Fig. 4, the construction is slightly modified to the extent that, instead of employing the sealing ring 22 on the valve head l4 and the valve seat 24 in the respective. end of the barrel I5, an annular shoulder is employed to serve as a valve seat and the respective frusto-conical face Ma serves as the sealing. element to engage such valve seat. Similarly, a seating shoulder 12 is provided on the seat member is in place ofthe seat 25 of Fig. 1.,suchseating shoulder 12 being in turn engaged by the respective frusto-conical face Illa. As a further modification, the skirt 44 is integrally carried by the adjacentend of the barrel l5 instead of by the seat member I8. Otherwise, this construction is substantially the same as illustratedin Figs. 1 and ,In themOdiflCatiOlL illustrated in Fig. 5, the skirt 44 having theports 45 again is carried by the respective end of the barrel l5, and the outermost frusto-conical f aceg,l, la of the valve head i4 engages with a narrow annular shoulder M of the separate valve seat member H], such shoulden serving'tas a .valve .seat and being; slightly beveled as indic,at ed.;-.-,- Theoppgsite side of the valve head M in this" form is shown as being a radially flat annulus which seats upon asimilarly radially fiat annular seating shoulder 75. A f ur t ge modification in this form isfound in the nature of the packing body, which as illustrated, is in the form of an especially molded rubber cuplike packing ring 16 provided with an annular groove 16a into which there projects a circular skirt 1! against which the bottom of the ring 16 is sealed by reason of pressure imposed by a rereceived. If desired, appropriate parts may be formed from a fabric block and this is especially true of the separate seat member [8 in each form. As has been heretofore indicated, the spring 5! may or may not be used as required,its presence providing, however, for a more positive snap action should that be deemed necessary under Similarly, theany given working condition. necessity for the annular grooves and 46 with which the ports 20 and communicate will be dependent upon the disposition of passages which correspond with the passages 52 and 54 illustrated inFig. 1. i I

In operation. with the valve structures dis closed-it is normally intended that pressure exerted in the chamber '21 upon the respective frusto-con icalvalve face Ma will be relied upon to maintain the valve in its open or normal posi-" tion illustrated in Fig. 1. In this case, fluid pressure applied through either of the passages 54 and 55 will accomplish'the purpose. For ex ample, ina braking system, fluid pressure produced in the power cylinder 56 and being transmittedthrough the passages 54 and 55 tothe braking mechanism will maintain the valve ll] in the position illustrated wherethe valve body isseated against the valve seat 24 in the inner' end of the barrel l5. This will be true, even as against a relatively high pressure in the accumulator chamber 53, 'becauseof the pressuredif ferential resulting from the 6 exposure ofthe outer end of the valve stem l2 to the atmosphere. When the valve l 0 is shifted to the opposite position so that the valve head I4 is seated upon the valve seat 25 in the 'separate seat member [8' through actuation of-the bent lever 60 and its operating nose .62,-the pressure previously ap plied through the passage 54 will nowube asserted upon the opposite side of thevalve head I4, together with pressure applied from the ac cumulator chamber 53 through the passage52 and the ports 28, and will maintain the valve 10 in such opposite position, which is its closed or parking position as these terms have been previously defined. @Such position will be mainta1ned,by reason of the pressures existing in the passages 52 and 54; upon release of some of the pressurein the power chamber 56 and so long as a predominating pressureis notresto'red to the chamber 56. To reverse the position of theparts, the bent lever 60 is released and a predominating pressure is built up in the power chamber 56, as by actuation of a brake pedal, to cause the valve 10 to shift.

Once the valve member ID is unseated by pre dominating pressure applied through the passage from the power cylinder 56, for example, and thereby moved to an intermediate position, the whole of the. valve head I4 is acted upon the surrounding fluid. Since the opposite end of the valve stem I2 projects into the atmosphere, it is apparentthat a pressure diilerential is effective upon the inner end of the valve head to urge the valve member with a snap action to its maximum open position or normal position. i The pressure differential to produce such action is representedby the cross-sectional area of the valve stem l2,.inasmuch as the cross-sectional area of the operative face of the valve head is correspondingly greater than the area of the opposite face of the valve head. Such differential is caused by reason of the fact that the surrounding presthe claims. I

ployed or not, and it occurs in all of the forms illustrated. When the spring 51 is employed, its value will be whatever is most beneficial in the particular system in which it is used.

As the valve stem l2 travels, it will be apparent that dislodgment of the inner packing ring 38 in the packing body [6 will be prevented by reason of the fact that the rib 31' is in contact with the end plate 3| of the barrel i5. Thus, the packing ring 38 insures against all loss of fluid around the valve stem 12, the packing ring 35 which engages the cylinder wall in the valve body 50 serving at the same time to prevent loss of fluid around the periphery of the packing body I6. Similarly, in the construction of Fig. 5, the outstanding wall portions of the packing ring 16 provided by the annular groove 16a serve to prevent loss of fluid along'the valve stem [2 and the walls of the cylinder in the valve body 50.

' Since other variations of the generic inven-.

tion herein disclosed will become apparent. to those skilled in this art, it is intended to cover all modification which fall within the scope of I claim as my invention: i

"1. A valve construction comprising: a valve body having a bore; a valve comprising a valve head and a valve stem connected with said head; a rigid barrel insertable into said bore in said valve body, said barrel having a valve seat formed thereon at one end and said barrel having a pas sage therethrough to receive said stem, said barrel also providing a radially extending port; packing means disposed about said stem at one end of said barrel to pack said barrel in said bore and to pack said stem; and cover means directly attachable to 'said valve body and overlying said barrel and said packing means for said barrel and for said stem to retain said packing means and said barrel in said bore, said barrel having an end wall opposite from said valve seat, said valve stem extending through said end wall and said cover means, said packing means including a retainer between said end wall and said cover means, packing material held by said retainer adjacent said end wall to engage said valve body when inserted therein, and packing material held by said retainer adjacent said end wall and engaging said valve stem.

2. A valve construction as in claim 1 wherein said retainer is provided with concentric grooves, the outer or said grooves being disposed at the wall of said bore and containing the packing material to engage said valve body, and the inner of said grooves being disposed at said stem and containing the packing material engaging said stem.

3. In combination in a valve structure: a valve body having a valve bore with inner and outer seat and having a stem axially disposed insaid passage; an end wall provided on the outer end of said barrel and provided with a passage through which said valve stem projects; a packing retainer disposed around said stem and bearing against the outer face of said end wall; packing means disposed in said packing retainer and in engagement with said valve stem to pack the same; annular packing means carried by said 10 packing retainer in engagement with the inner wall of said bore; annular packing means disposed in an intermediate portion of the outer wall of said barrel and in engagement with said inner wall of said bore between said axially spaced ports in said barrel; a seat member disposed in said inner end of said bore between the inner end of said barrel and said port at said inner end of said bore and provided with a passage cornmunicating with the last mentioned port, said seat member having a seat to be engaged by the adjacent end of said valve; annular packing means in the outer wall of said seat member and in engagement with the inner wall of said bore; and cover means carried by said valve body in l engagement with said packing retainer, said valve stem projecting through said cover means to the exterior of said valve body.

4. In combination in a valve structure: a valve body having a bore; a rigid barrel disposed in said bore and having an axial passage therethrough, said barrel having a valve seat at the inner end thereof; a valve comprising a valve head adapted to seat on said valve seat and having a valve stem. connected with said head and disposed in said passage, said valve barrel and said valve body having radial ports which are axially spaced on opposite sides of said seat; an end wall carried by the outer end of said barrel; a packing retainer provided with concentric grooves facing said end wall; holding means carried by said valve body and engaging and re taining said packing retainer, said end wall, retainer and h01dll1g means having passages through which said stem projects to the exterior of said valve body; annular packing means disposed in the inner of said concentric grooves in packing engagement with said valve stem; and annular packing means disposed in the outer of said concentric grooves in packing engagement with the inner wall of said bore.

. JOHN N. GLADDEN.

References Cited in the .file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 33,331 Denmark of 1929 

